School heads finding tough to provide school uniform in Rs 400

Due to delay in release of funds by the Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to provide school uniform to the students of Class 1 to 8- the school heads are finding tough to purchase school uniform at pricey rates due to chilly weather.

Due to delay in release of funds by the Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to provide school uniform to the students of Class 1 to 8- the school heads are finding tough to purchase school uniform at pricey rates due to chilly weather.

The school heads have received the funds but they are feeling jittery as the amount of Rs 400 is insufficient to provide school uniform to the students of Class 1 to 8. The school heads feel that in the school uniform they have to provide shoes, socks, belt, tie, shirt, pants, skirt, sweater and turban.

The government schools are receiving this amount of Rs 400 from government of India under SSA.

One of the government school principal who wished not to be named said, "We have received the amount of Rs 400 to provide school uniform to the students but it is not possible to provide everything in this amount. In Rs 400 how can we provide shoes, belt, socks, tie, shirt, pant, sweater. So we are in a fix as we have contacted so many shops here but none of them in ready to provide us all the things in Rs 400."

One of the government primary school teacher at condition of anonymity said, "Everything has become costly in Rs 400 it will be very difficult to provide school uniform to the students. So the higher authorities should revise the amount so that we can buy school uniform for the students of good quality."

Talking to Hindustan Times, Punjab Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka said, "We are aware that the amount is not enough to provide school uniform to the students. So we have sent a proposal to the Government of India to enhance the funds from Rs 400 to Rs 1000. This time again we will send a proposal to the government so that next year the government schools don't have to compromise on the quality of the dress material."